|
Part Three - The Path of Life
Chapter 14 Wisdom
6) The Teacher
Teachers should set a good example of integrity in their own teachings and impart moral teachings in accord with their own high standard of conduct. They should have mature faith, rich experience, and discernment to treat each student in the way that best suits the student’s individual temperament and interests. They should regard their task as not merely to impart knowledge, but also to motivate and inspire their students with a vision for their lives. Most of all, the best teachers have the heart of a parent, training their students as they would their own children.
The ability to teach is a gift from God, and teachers are in a sense partners with God the divine Teacher. Therefore, good teachers show God’s unconditional love by devoting themselves to all who wish to learn regardless of their ability to pay. When they lecture, they are mindful that God may wish to use them as His mouthpiece. The final passages thus describe teaching as a divine calling. These include examples of Father Moon’s advice to pastors about delivering a sermon.
1. Qualities of a Good Teacher
World Scripture
Teachers train the pupil in what they have been trained; they make him hold fast to moral precepts; they thoroughly instruct him in the lore of every subject; they speak well of him among his friends and companions; they counsel him for his safety and benefit. Digha Nikaya 3.185-91, Sigalovada Sutta (Buddhism)
Set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you. Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.17 1 Timothy 4.12-16
The teacher, brethren, should regard the pupil as his son. The pupil should regard the teacher as his father. Thus these two, by mutual reverence and deference joined, dwelling in community of life, will win increase, growth, progress in this Norm-discipline. Vinaya Pitaka, Mahavagga 3.1 (Buddhism)
As in the sky flies the white-clothed crane, Keeping its mind behind, In its heart continually remembering its young ones; So the true Guru keeps the disciple absorbed in the love of God, And also keeps him in his heart. Adi Granth, Gauri, M.4 (Sikhism)
When, therefore, anyone takes the name of Abbot he should govern his disciples by a twofold teaching; namely, he should show them all that is good and holy by his deeds more than by his words; explain the commandments of God to intelligent disciples by words, but show the divine precepts to the dull and simple by his works. Saint Benedict of Nursia, The Benedictine Rule 2 (Christianity)
Harun ar-Rashid said to his son’s tutor, “I have delivered to you my own blood and the treasure of my soul. You have authority over him and he has to obey you, so be worthy of the trust that the Caliph of all Muslims has placed in you. Let him recite the Qur’an, teach him history and read him poetry. Teach him the traditions of the Messenger and politeness of speech, and not to laugh except when it is appropriate. Let no hour pass without teaching him something that will benefit him, but do not hurt him, as this may quash his thoughts, causing him to love idleness and become familiar with it. Correct him with kindness and compassion. Only if he refuses to obey can you use punishment and force.” Ibn Khaldun.
Raising Children in Islam (Islam)
Confucius said, “The thought that, I have left my moral power untended, My learning unperfected; I have heard of righteous men, but have been unable to go to them, I have heard of evil men, but have been unable to reform them. —it is these thoughts that disquiet me.” Analects 7.3 (Confucianism)
Teachings of Sun Myung Moon
Professors should inculcate in their students strong determination and clear values for meeting the challenges of the times. In this sense, professors and religious leaders share a common task. More than merely transmitting knowledge and publishing the results of their research, they should inspire their students to live a life of responsibility. (130:16, December 18, 1983)
Everyone should meet at least one mentor in his life on whom he can totally depend, to whom he can offer himself unconditionally, whom he can trust never to violate his heart, and to whom he can entrust everything he has and feel totally at ease. In this way he can understand the heart of God. He can taste the heart of a true child in relation to his Heavenly Father. (4:168, April 6, 1958)
Teachers, you should protect your school as you would your own home, with a sense of ownership. You should teach your students as you would your own children, with the heart of a father or mother.19 (203:308, June 27, 1990)
Teachers should educate their students with love, standing in the place of parents (in loco parentis). They should teach with love that is eternal, building ties with their students that last beyond their school days. They should make such efforts to form such deep, loving relationships with their students that they never forget them for the rest of their lives. True teachers imbue their teaching with love. They do not teach just to earn a living; they teach out of an irrepressible love and desire to teach, even at great personal cost. Teachers and students should have such a relationship that, night or day, the teachers long to meet them and convey their knowledge—always with love, and the students are eager to receive it. (127:17, May 1, 1983)
Schoolteachers who care for their nation’s destiny dedicate themselves to inculcate their students with the proper values. Holding their hands and with tears in their eyes they tell their students, “More than you have obeyed me, be loyal to your nation.” Students who receive such teaching will fulfill their teachers’ hopes. When dedicated teachers regard the nation and the world as more precious than themselves, and when parents raise their children with sincerity while upholding the nation and world above their families, they will educate those young people to become the future pillars of the nation. (25:98, September 30, 1969)
Teachers and professors have a great deal of influence on young people. However, their parents influence them even more. It is the family that exerts the most influence on the formation of an individual’s character.
The family is the school of love, the most important school in life. In the family, children expand the capacity of their hearts through education in love and emotions that only parents can provide. This becomes the cornerstone to form the children’s character. Further, the family is the school teaching virtues and norms. Education in academics, sports, technology, etc., should be given on the foundation of this primary education in heart and norms; this is the heaven-designed way.
Hence, just as parents should become true parents and give their children true love, they also should become true teachers and educate their children properly in heart and norms. Though children may not be aware of their parents’ role as true teachers, inevitably they learn from them and come to resemble them. The role of parents is that important. (271:80-81, August 22, 1995)
|